By: David Shoombe
International companies have gathered in Namibia to explore strategic partnerships and position themselves to benefit from the country’s newly discovered offshore wealth. However, Namibians are busy contemplating how they will benefit.
The fourth National Oil and Gas Conference has attracted all kinds of players in the value chain of oil and gas from across the globe, as well as Namibian facilitators and politicians.
The pertinent question is: how will ordinary Namibians benefit from the country’s oil and gas resources? Additionally, is the new industry going to end poverty in Namibia?
The common theme among speakers and experts at the conference was the need to transfer skills to Namibians to reap the benefits from the emerging industry.
Namibian employment will be prioritised, skills will be transferred, Namibian suppliers maximised, and meaningful Namibian participation and financing at every layer.
The conference attracted over 1,500 delegates, over 70 exhibitors and 40 sponsors.
Rhino Resources Namibia Chief Executive, Travis Smithard, stated that Namibia needs to work together, which will define Namibia’s success in oil or gas.
He added that the strongest industries are not built on individual projects but on institutions and finance, technology and the market working together.
Smithard indicated that the continuation of developing Namibian skill sets will enable them to benefit from the new industry.
Special Advisor to the President of Namibia, Head of Petroleum Upstream Unit, Kornelia Shilunga, noted the role of the government in making sure that the environment is competitive and regulated for the oil industry.
She emphasised that investors must consistently follow the rules. The central argument is that Namibians should benefit from the country’s resources, highlighting the role of reform as the government continues to review the petroleum frameworks.
Knowledge Ipinge, the founder of the Namibia Association for Offshore Oil and Gas Service Providers, has noted that it is crucial to make sure that Namibian businesses and young people should not wait for the oil and gas industry to materialise, but to start building capacity and learn from experts and mentors.
Ipinge has noted that benefits from the oil and gas beneficiation have to do with skills, where young people need to invest in learning and engaging with experts to reap the benefits.
Chief Operating Officer of Olistair, Amechi Onwuegbuna, noted that Namibia is well positioned to benefit from the industry.
He therefore emphasised that the discovery of oil does not automatically translate into prosperity.
The country needs to put in the necessary work to ensure that Namibians are meaningfully involved and benefit from the sector.
The corporate executive from Nigeria indicated that Namibia needs to build capacity and resilience while extensively developing its skills base.
He stated that Namibians are expected to work with technological partners, and that this collaboration will determine the direction in which Namibia progresses.
Onwuegbuna further stressed that oil and gas alone will not take Namibia out of poverty, but the need to put in work
